Internal combustion engine



Oct. 31, 1933. L? WOQLSON 1,933,292

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Dec. 6, 1929 Z8 Z5 gwuentoz .LIUNEL M NUULSQLV Patented Oct. 31 1933 PAT-1E rriacis'f 1,933,292 INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Lionel M, Woolson, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Packard Motor Car Company, Detroit, Mich., V a corporation of Michigan Application December 6, 1929. -Serial No. 412,061

8 Claims.

This invention relates to internal combustion engines and more particularly to the cylinder and crank case structure. V

' An object of .the invention is to provide an 5 engine in which explosion loads are transmitted associating the cylinderstherewith.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an internal combustion engine in which explosion loads in the cylinders are transferred to, the interior of the crank case and distributed in 20 a plurality of spaced areas.

Another object of my invention is to provide a radial light weight casing for Diesel engines with which the cylinders are related in a manner to distribute explosion loads indirectly and an-.

crank case having cylinders associated therewith; and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Referring now to the drawing by characters of reference, 10 represents generally the crank case of a radial type of internal combustion engine adapted particularly for use as the power. plant of an airship. The crank caseis preferably 4, formed of duralurnin and consists of a transverse wall 11 and a peripheral wall 12, formed integrally, a detachable transverse partition wall 13 and a detachable end wall 14. The crank case is annular in form, and the partition wall 13 45 divides the case into two compartments 15 and 16 55 flanges being arranged complimentary to bosses Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an engine power plant of anaeroplane where the weight 20 .and bearing thereagainst. It will be seen that theinner ends of the cylinders project into the compartment 15 and actv as pilots, the fit between the cylinders and the peripheral wall 12 can be vclose or not, as may be desired. The cylinder heads are provided with a neck 21 through which a passage extends for the admission of air and for the escape of exhaust, there being suitable valve mechanism controlling such passage (not, shown). Charges of liquid fuel are introduced into the cylinders by individual injection devices 22' actuated by mechanism extending from the compartment 16. The engine illustrated is-of the Diesel type, however the invention can be utilized equally aswell in engines operating upon other principles. c

In order that the crank case can be formed with thin walls to provide a light weight and at the same time'rugged structure capable of use with. engines developing compression pres- 75 sures of several hundred-pounds per square inch in the cylinders, I provide means which will transmit and distribute all explosion loads from the cylinders to the crank case so that there are no localized stresses in the crank case. As one means or accomplishing this result, I provide a pair of spaced ring members 24 interiorly of the crank case which are formed angularly so that they can be assembled within the compartment 15 in close relation with the transverse walls 11 35 and 13 and with the peripheral wall 12. Such rings are preferably formed of. steel and are detachably secured by the bolts 25 which pass through the cylinder flanges and the peripheral wall of the crank case and by the bolts 26 which .90 extend through the transverse walls 11 and 13.

Any load in the cylinders caused by explosion will be transmitted directly to the rings through the bolts 25 and will be distributed therefrom around the crank case so that there will be no localized stress present in the crank case, and because of this, the crank case thickness can be very much reduced over that now commonly in use, particularly that required at present with engines of the Diesel type where the explosion loads are severe. r

This manner of associating the cylinders with a crank case materially decreases the metal formerly thought to be required in the crank case to withstand explosion loads, and is an important factor in building a Diesel type of engine capable of running at high speeds and of a weight to make it commercially possible for the of the engine must be less than three pounds per horse power development.

While I have herein described in some detail a specific embodiment of my invention, which I deem to be new and advantageous and may specifically claim, I do not desire it to be understood that my invention is limited to the exact details of the construction, as it will be apparent that changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In an internal combustion engine, in combination, a crank case, a plurality of cylinders extending radially from and having portions bearing against the crank case, parallel ring members arranged interiorly of the crank case for distributing explosive loads from the cylinders to the crank case, and rigid means connecting the cylinder bearing portions with the ring member.

2. In an internal combustion engine, in combination, the crank case, a plurality of cylinders extending radially from the crank case, and parallel ring members within the crank case connected with the cylinders to distribute explosive loads therefrom around the crank case.

3. In an internal combustion engine, in combination, an annular crank case, a plurality of cylinders extendingradially from the crank case, a flange on each of the cylinders, a pair of parallel rings arranged within the crank case, and means for securing the flanges of the cylinders to the rings.

4. In an internal combustion engine, in combination, an annular crank case having transversely extending walls, a plurality of cylinders extending radially from the peripheral crank case wall, a pair of rings in intimate relation with the interior of the transverse walls and the peripheral wall, and means extending through the crank case for securing the cylinders to the rings.

5. In an engine, a circular crank case formed of relatively thin walls, a plurality of cylinders extending radially from the peripheral wall of the crank case, a pair of steel rings Within the crank case, flanges formed on the cylinders, and securing means for clamping the cylinder flanges, the peripheral wall and the rings together.

6. In an internal combustion engine, a cylindrical crank case having a wall extending transversely thereof, cylinders engaging the peripheral Wall of the case and extending radially therefrom, disc members in the case extending adjacent the transverse walls, said members having a circular flange extending adjacent the peripheral wall of the crank case, and bolts extending through the peripheral wall of the case tying the cylinders to the disc flanges.

7. In an internal combustion engine, in combination, an annular crank case, a plurality of cylinders extending radially from the crank case each having a part resting against the crank case,

a ringmember in the crank case substantially r,

coaxial therewith, and. meansextending through 7 iso 

